by Lacey Silks
I stopped Dave before we walked through the door.
“Please don’t tell them about what happened. You know, about my panic attack.”
It had been some time since I’d had one – years, in fact.
“I won’t. I promise.” He opened the door. The smell of home cooking, some quiet carol music, and the flickering glitter of candlelight filled the room. Parker was putting the last present under the tree, April had just sliced a loaf and was setting it on the table, and Justin, wearing his geeky red and green sweater, was putting what looked like the last of the garnishes on the table. The warmth of kindness, love, and cheer overwhelmed me. This was perfect. I wished we could have dragged Mrs. Bowers into the car to come with us.
“How did you get the turkey done without any power?” I asked.
“Good old stone barbecue outside.” Mr. Mayers pointed. “The bird’s all nice and crispy on the outside, just waiting for you, guys.”
Wow! This all looked so amazing. Just like every Christmas.
“Can we eat now?” Parker asked.
“You just want to get to the presents, don’t you?” Justin ruffled his hair.
We had a rule that no one could get to the presents unless they had tried every dish on the table, although being a vegetarian; I of course was an exception to the rule. Soon enough, with the fireplace and candles set all over the room, we were all stuffing our cheeks full, laughing, telling Parker his childhood stories, and reminiscing over some of our own.
I caught Dave’s gaze from across the table. He gently stroked his foot against mine underneath, mouthing, Are you okay?
I smiled back, grateful for his concern. But tonight, I was more than all right. Maybe I wouldn’t have anyone to wash my feet when I was old and gray, but I had the best family in the world, and no matter what was in store for our futures, I knew they’d always welcome me with open arms the same way they had years ago.
“It’s time to open the gifts!” Parker yelled and ran to the tree. One by one, he handed a box to everyone.
“A microscope? This is the best gift ever. Thank you, Aunt Millie.”
“You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
“Millie, you shouldn’t have. It’s expensive.”
Ever since Simon had passed away and left April with bills and debts, money had been tight for my best friend. And Parker was such a diligent student, he deserved this.
“Of course I should. Look at his face.” I adored that little boy as if he were my own. Wait, what was happening to me? This Christmas was making me extra gooey.
“How was your trip to see Mrs. Bowers?” April asked when we were out of earshot of the rest of the family.
“Fine.” I felt my cheeks heat. It was actually more than fine. Dave seemed different. While he kept his distance, I couldn’t help but feel that original spark ignite between us into a bright flame. My heart was drumming in my chest, and I got a little light headed. The decision I made after he’d taken me back inside his Jeep was brewing inside me. The question was, could I actually go through with it?
Justin fixed the new tie I got him while Mr. Mayers tried out his new engraved pen. April put on her flower cap, one she could wear to work while taking bodies apart. Looking at her you’d never think she was a fearless forensics analyst.
And then I saw Dave walk through the door with a larger box. He had a difficult time balancing it before he set it on the ground. I looked around the room and noticed that I was the center of attention.
“Is that for me?” I asked.
“Yes. Come on, pumpkin, open it.”
I stepped closer and knelt at its side. As soon as I tore through the top layer of the box, it moved, and I heard a squeak from within.
He didn’t.
I quickened my pace, ripping the box apart and finally lifting the cover. A beautiful chocolate lab puppy jumped into my arms and licked my face. I couldn’t stop laughing.
“Hi, sweetheart. Oh, my goodness, you’re so cute and adorable.”
With his hands in his pockets, Dave stood across the room, reminding me so much of that boy I had fallen in love with.
“Thank you. But - why?”
“To show you that there is someone who’ll stay loyal to you forever.”
Wow!
I squeezed the puppy as hard as I could without letting him out of my arms. I already loved him. When Parker joined me at my side, the pup leapt from me to him. This was my chance. My gaze connected with Dave’s just as he asked, “So, do I not get a gift this year?”
I stood up. This was it. I may have made the decision in haste, when rolling on a high of all kinds of emotions, but it felt right.
“I had one for you, but thought of something better.”
I then walked past April, hugged her, and whispered into her ear, “If this doesn’t work out, you and I are taking a girls’ only vacation next summer and I’m getting so drunk I’m not going to remember any of it, chica.”
When I let go, she had tears in her eyes.
With as much courage as I could muster, I then headed for Dave. Watching his jaw open in shock was exactly the response I expected. I slid my hands up his torso and around his neck, pulling him down to my lips and kissing him with all that passion I’d held onto for years. His hands were around me, holding me tightly in his grasp as if he feared if he let go I’d vanish. I waited for the stars to appear – and they did. I anticipated that tingle in my stomach to turn into a full stampede – and it did. I expected him to take control of my mouth, manipulate my lips with his, twist his tongue with mine, breathe into me with all the love he’d held on to – and he did. It was perfect and much better than my dreams as he dipped my whole body backward.
Somewhere in the background, Justin whistled; and when we finally pulled apart, the Christmas tree lights came back on. It was a sign. This was meant to be. I had been perfectly kissed by the only man I’d ever loved, and the universe was giving me a thumbs-up.
Afterword
Dear Reader,
Millie and Dave appear happy for now, but their pasts cannot be erased as easily as they’d like and their struggles have not yet ended.
If you’d like to find out what led to their separation and whether they’ve remained together, Millie and Dave’s story is continued in Perfectly Loved, available February 2016.
Happy Reading
Lacey Silks
Also by Lacey Silks
Dazzled by Silver (prequel to the Layers Trilogy)
Layers Deep (Book 1)
Layers Peeled (Book 2)
Layers Off (Book 3)
Crossed (prequel to the Crossed Series)
Layers Crossed (Book 1)
Double Crossed (Book 2)
Crossed Off (Book 3)
When Things Go Wrong (short prequel)
Cheaters Anonymous (Book 1)
Loyal Cheaters (Book 2)
Perfectly Equipped (short prequel)
Perfectly Seduced (Book 1)
Perfectly Loved (Book 2)
My First, My Last: a standalone erotic romance novel
Short Stories
My Only One | Dance With Me | Teacher’s Pet
Bossy Request | Over The Limit | My Neighbor’s Will
Mistresses (a five story collection)
Connect with Me Online:
Twitter | My Blog | Facebook | Newsletter
About the Author
USA Today Bestselling Author Lacey Silks writes erotic and contemporary romances with a touch of suspense. Her stories come from her life, dreams and fantasies. She’s a happily married wife with two kids who uses her husband to test out the more intimate scenes for her writing – he said he doesn’t mind it at all.
Lacey likes to make her readers blush and experience the story as if they were the characters. Drawing on the reader’s most sensitive emotions through realistic stories satisfies her more than… …ok not really, but you get the point ;)
She likes a pinkish shade on a woman’s cheeks, men w
ith large feet and sexy lingerie-especially when it’s torn off the body. Her favorite piece of clothing is a birthday suit.
@LaceySilks
LaceySilksAuthor
www.laceysilks.com
Acknowledgments
I <3 Millie. She’s probably the funkiest character I’ve written so Millie, wherever you are in that head of mine, thank you for being there.
To my Bimbos, LOL’rs, AAs, fast drafters and Lacey’s Leaders, I love talking to you each day. My day wouldn’t be the same without you.
To my editor, thank you for asking me to remove more f-bombs with each book. I usually don’t, but I appreciate ALL your input.
To my readers: keep the emails coming. I adore your excitement. There’s nothing better than knowing you’ve enjoyed my work.
To anyone who took a chance on my books – thank you!
To my family, I could not do what I love without you. Mom, your go getter attitude has rubbed off on me. Dad, your humour is infectious. Mike, “all you need is love” (thank you for doing all the chores when I can’t). Maya and Alex, you are who I live for. You are my life.